Are you ready to begin your journey as an Esthetician? At Wrapture Beauty Academy, our structured 40-week program prepares you for success!
Here’s a look at everything you’ll learn and practice:
About Some of Our Professional Back Bar Products:
Because of the wide range of skills and services you’ll be learning, you’ll gain experience working with a variety of professional brands. At Wrapture, we focus on teaching high-quality techniques using Health Canada–registered products. From wax and tint to skincare, polish, and so much more, you’ll be trained to uphold high standards every step of the way.
We work with a wide range of brands, but here are some favourites:
✔ Bernard Cassière Skincare – A luxury French skincare line designed for customized facials, professional-grade treatments, and targeted skin solutions using natural botanicals and advanced formulations.
✔ CND Shellac, OPI, China Glaze, and Bio Chic Gel are top choices in professional nail care. CND Shellac provides long-lasting, chip-resistant gel polish. OPI and China Glaze offer vibrant, highly pigmented colours with a smooth application. Bio Chic Gel delivers durable, flexible enhancements for a strong yet natural look. These trusted brands ensure a flawless, salon-quality finish.
✔ DermaplanePro – A leading brand in dermaplaning tools and skincare used by estheticians worldwide for safe and effective exfoliation treatments.
✔ Makeup Forever – A professional makeup brand known for high-performance, industry-quality products used by makeup artists and estheticians in editorial, bridal, and beauty applications.
Esthetics Program Overview
Becoming an Esthetician in Manitoba is a structured process designed to ensure you gain the skills, experience, and certification required to succeed.
Schedule:
During your program, you will learn theory and practice providing and receiving services with your classmates from Tuesday to Thursday. On Fridays—and one Saturday a month—you’ll put your skills to work by offering services to models, including friends, family, or members of the public.
Here’s a breakdown of your week:
Theory: Learning the Science of Beauty
Your week starts on Tuesdays and the day starts with theory—because before you can master hands-on skills, you need to understand the science behind them. You will learn about skin anatomy, nail structure, product ingredients, and safety protocols, setting a strong foundation for your career.
Hands-On Training
Once you have covered the basics in theory, it is time to put your knowledge into action. Afternoon hands-on training sessions typically begin soon in your program. First, you will practice on your classmates and experience both sides of the service—giving and receiving treatments. This helps you understand not just how to perform the service, but what the client feels.
If a treatment includes precision techniques that require more repetition to master—such as lash or nail extensions —you will also get access to additional practice on mannequins.
What daily-use amenities are available at and around the academy?
Lunchroom Access: Enjoy the convenience of a refrigerator, microwave, and seating area for your meals.
Free On-Site Lockers: Bring your own lock and store personal items like books, eating utensils, or stationery securely.
Free Parking Options: Free street parking is available on Milt Stegall Drive and is generally easy to find. A few spots are also available directly against the academy part of the building—just be sure to avoid the stalls that face away or belong to neighbouring organizations.
Perfectly-Located Bus Stops: Multiple Winnipeg Transit stops are just a 3-minute walk from our front door. Routes 14, 20, and 77 make commuting easy and convenient for students coming from across the city.
Take Out Lunch & Sips in Minutes: From Starbucks and Pita Pit to Jollibee, McDonald’s, and Mongos—student go-to spots are just across the parking lot. Need a change of taste? Booster Juice, Subway, Tim Hortons, and the Polo Park Mall food court are also close by. Whether you walk, drive, or order in, lunch breaks here come with options!
Program Overview
During your training, you’ll gain hands-on experience in:
✔ Skin Care & Facial Treatments – Skin analysis, basic facials, advanced facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and dermaplaning.
✔ Body Treatments & Massage – Relaxation massage, body scrubs, cellulite treatments, back facials, mud or hydro wraps, and hot stone massage.
✔Manicures & Pedicures – Basic, spa, shellac, acrylic, hot oil, and paraffin treatments.
✔ Artificial Nail Enhancements – Gel, acrylic, sculpting, extensions, overlays, and fills.
✔ Nail Art & Customization – Nail design, artificial toenails, fabric wraps.
✔ Hair Removal – Waxing for the face and body.
✔ Lash & Brow Enhancements – Lash lift and tint, classic lash extensions, and lash/brow tinting.
✔ Makeup Artistry – Daytime, evening, bridal, fantasy, and mature makeup applications.
✔ Sanitation & Safety – Workplace hygiene, sterilization, and client safety.
✔ Business & Client Management – Retail sales, salon management, and client service.
Friday: Working with Live Models (+ 1 Saturday a month)
After mastering treatments on classmates, you will start working on models. These can be friends, family, or even members of the public looking for skin and beauty treatments at a fraction of spa prices.
Your first few models might be people you already know, which can help ease first-time nerves. “I find that when we reach this point, it makes it a bit easier the first time if it is a friend or family member,” educator Mel shares. “That being said, you do want to practice what real life will be like by offering services to strangers, too.”
Practicum Breakdown: Everything You'll Do!
To successfully complete your practicum, you’ll need to perform at least:
✔ 12 Skin Analysis (included in facial time)
✔ 5 Facial Massages (included in facial time)
✔ 10 Facials
✔ 10 Advanced Facials
✔ 4 Custom Facials
✔ 2 Chemical Peels
✔ 2 Microdermabrasion Treatments
✔ 2 Dermaplaning Treatments
✔ 15 Basic Manicures
✔ 2 Spa Manicures
✔ 2 Hot Oil Manicures
✔ 2 Paraffin Treatments
✔ 2 Gel Polish/Shellac Manicures
✔ 10 Hand & Arm Massages (included in manicure time)
✔ 15 Basic Pedicures
✔ 10 Foot Massages (included in pedicure time)
✔ 2 Brow Waxes
✔ 2 Lip Waxes
✔ 2 Chin Waxes
✔ 2 Underarm Waxes
✔ 2 Bikini Waxes
✔ 2 Leg Waxes
✔ 10 Brow Tints
✔ 10 Lash Tints
✔ 4 Lash Lift & Tints
✔ 2 Classic Lash Extensions
✔ 5 Relaxation Massages
✔ 1 Aromatherapy Treatment
✔ 5 Body Treatments (scrub, cellulite treatment, back facial, mud/hydro wrap, hot stone massage)
✔ 4 Nail Tip Extension Applications
✔ 2 Gel Overlays
✔ 2 Acrylic Overlays
✔ 2 Fibreglass Overlays
✔ 2 Sculptured Gel Nails
✔ 1 Sculptured French Gel Nails
✔ 1 Sculptured French Acrylic Nails
✔ 1 Fabric Wrap Application
✔ 1 Artificial Toenail Application
✔ 1 Nail Art Design
How to Get Practicum Models and Future Clients
Practicum is the time to start building your personal brand. Posting model calls on your social media beauty student account helps fill your practice appointments and starts attracting potential clients.
Educator Mel encourages students to think ahead:
“When you work in a spa, you will experience more success if you have a personal esthetician brand. Even if your spa has a marketing strategy, clients also want to relate to a person, not just a business. Start now with a dedicated account by sharing your student journey and growing your audience.”
Plus, if you tag the school account as a student, we’ll repost your model calls, giving you access to an audience of thousands! This will make it much easier for you to acquire the models you need.
That’s not all: Students who create a dedicated beauty account while still in school find it easier to transition into their career. By the time you graduate, you often have already started to build a client base that follows you wherever you go to eventually apprentice if they know where to find you (aka: if they started following your account while you were in school).
Read More: 5 Reasons Why Personal Branding Matters for Estheticians
How do I become a licensed esthetician?
Here are the four steps to becoming a licensed esthetician in Manitoba:
- Step 1: Complete an Accredited Diploma Program: Start with the 40-week (approx. 10 months) accredited esthetics diploma program that includes both theory and hands-on training in skincare, nails, and beauty services.
- Step 2: Pass the Practical Diploma Exam: You’ll complete a hands-on exam that tests your skills in services such as facials, waxing, massage, nail enhancements, and lash treatments. Congratulations on graduating!
- Step 3: Complete Your Apprenticeship : When you get your first job, register with Apprenticeship Manitoba and complete 3,200 hours of esthetician work (2 years of employment) in a licensed beauty business such as a salon or spa.
- Step 4: Pass the Written Licensing Exam: Once your hours are approved, you’ll write the provincial licensing exam. After passing, you’ll be issued your license. With a license, you can continue working in a business, or you can freelance.
Esthetics Practical Exam: What to Expect
For estheticians pursuing certification in both sub-trades, the exam combines all of the above skills from skin care exam and nail technician exam into a comprehensive evaluation, including:
- Nail Shaping and Cuticle Work: Pedicures and manicures.
- Callus Removal: Properly addressing foot care needs.
- Massage Techniques: Hand, arm, foot, and leg massage.
- French Polish Application: Mastering the classic look.
- Gel and Acrylic Nail Application: Sculptured nails with overlays.
- Red Polish Application: Precision and neatness.
- Hair Removal and Eyebrow Shaping: Using depilatory methods.
- Skin Cleansing and Extractions: Prepping the skin with care.
- Massage Techniques: Facial and body massage methods.
- Mask Application: Using visible mask product to show precision
- Lash Tinting: Safe and effective application techniques.
- Evening Makeup Application: Creating a polished final look.
After passing your practical exam, you’ll receive your diploma—congratulations, graduate! This means you’re ready to begin your apprenticeship. Once you land your first job in the beauty industry, be sure to register as an apprentice with Apprenticeship Manitoba so your hours count.
You’ll need 3,200 hours (about two years of employment) to complete your apprenticeship and become eligible for the provincial written exam. Once you pass that exam, you’ll receive your licence.
With your licence, you can keep building your career in the industry or even start freelancing.
What are my career options once I'm licensed?
- Spa or Salon Esthetician: Works as part of a professional team in a beauty business, providing services to clients in a structured, often fast-paced environment. This role allows estheticians to gain steady experience, benefit from mentorship, and build a loyal client base while focusing on service excellence.
- Beauty Specialist (Lash & Skin Technician, Nail & Waxing Pro, etc.): Focus deeply on a specific set of skills or services you’re passionate about. Specialists often become known for their expertise in one or two areas, attracting clients who want focused and expert care. Specialization also makes personal branding easier, allowing you to build a clear, memorable identity around your signature services. Whether it’s lashes, skin, or nails, specialization helps you stand out in a competitive market.
Learning all the skills covered in the Esthetics Diploma Program expands your career options, increases your hireability, and sets you up for a strong start—whether you choose to specialize later or not.
- Freelancer: Offers esthetic services independently, often renting space or working on a flexible schedule. Freelancers manage their own clients, set their own hours, and maintain full control of their workload and income.
- Entrepreneur: Launches and operates their own beauty business, taking on responsibilities such as hiring staff or subcontractors, managing finances, building a brand, and overseeing daily operations. Entrepreneurs drive the long-term vision and growth of their company.
- Medi-Spa Technician: Offers advanced skin treatments such as laser and microneedling after earning specialized certifications. Medi-spa techs work in clinical or high-end spa settings, helping clients address concerns like pigmentation, scarring, hair removal, tattoo removal, and skin aging with cutting-edge technology and advanced facials. This role is perfect for estheticians who love results-driven skin treatments and want to expand their skill set into medical esthetics.
Recap
An Esthetics Diploma provides a comprehensive education, covering multiple areas of beauty services. It is ideal for you if you want a broad skill set and the flexibility to offer a range of services.
What to Expect: Becoming an esthetician takes approximately 10 months of schooling. Once you graduate, expect about 2 years of apprenticeship (to be precise: 3,200 hours). In total, the journey takes just under 3 years.
Career Opportunities:
Graduates often work as full-service estheticians in spas and salons or open their own businesses offering multiple beauty treatments once they are licensed. With the diverse skill set of this diploma, your employability is strong, allowing you to explore various areas and later specialize in what you enjoy most.
Many go on to advance their education to work in medi spas or advanced beauty providers.
Expanding Your Career:
This is an exciting field with endless opportunities for growth, allowing you to expand your expertise with advanced certifications. Some examples are laser hair removal, microneedling, semi-permanent makeup, and laser skin resurfacing.
As you gain confidence and continue advancing your education through professional certificate training, you unlock the potential for higher earnings and the ability to offer sought-after, high-value treatments.
This information is accurate on the publication date of this article. Contact us for the most up-to-date information. No matter where you are in Canada, always check with your provincial authorities to ensure compliance with the regulations for offering beauty services professionally.